DRYNESS OF THE MOUTH

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Abstract
AS DERMATOLOGISTS we are frequently concerned with complaints referable to the mouth and with changes in the oral mucous membranes. Deficiency or absence of saliva may result in changes in the oral mucosa with which we should all be familiar. When the quantity of saliva secreted is moderately reduced the mucous membranes may appear normal. The salivary deficiency may be evident only in that the saliva is always mucoid, sticky, weblike, bubbly and frothy rather than thin and watery. It may be adherent and ball up and be difficult to expectorate without the moistening of the mouth with water. Burning and paresthesias of the oral mucosa, particularly of the tongue, are common symptoms and may at times precede the onset of recognized salivary deficiency. Pronounced deficiency or complete absence of saliva leads to stickiness, dryness, soreness, burning and pain of the mucous membranes and to redness, atrophy,

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